Head Coach looks ahead to massive last game against Wycombe
Oxford United Head Coach Michael Appleton will keep his attention firmly on events at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday rather than worry about what is happening in other games. The U’s need a win against Wycombe Wanderers to guarantee promotion from Sky Bet League 2, but rather than worry about how rivals Bristol Rovers or Accrington Stanley are doing the United boss will be concentrating totally on his own side.
“The fans will let us know anyway” he told Yellow Player HD “It was the same on Saturday at Carlisle. You could tell that results weren’t going our way too much, but they didn’t need to because we were doing our business properly. I think when it gets to 85 minutes on Saturday I’ll need to know what’s going on elsewhere, but up until then all I am interested in is what we do.”
United have a full squad to choose from with key players returning from injury.
“Everyone trained” Michael confirmed. “Whether they get through the next couple of days is the question, but we’re hoping that Johnny Mullins, Joe Skarz and Kemar Roofe will be available for Saturday.”
Wycombe can’t reach the play-offs but boss Gareth Ainsworth has already stated that his side are coming to the Kassam looking to spoil the party.
“Absolutely, and I’d be saying the same thing if I was in his position” Michael said. “You don’t want to lose any game of football and you certainly don’t want to be there watching another team’s celebrations. We are mindful of that and have to be ready for it.”
Two wins in two games have kept United ahead of the pack, and Saturday sees them looking to finish the job without needing to go into the play-offs.
“After the Newport game there was a sense of frustration and disappointment but we had come through a terrible period of injuries and players being absent and to still have it in our own hands after that was great” Michael said. “I genuinely believe that was a bonus. Then to keep two clean sheets and win two big games is enormous credit to the players. We need one last big push. A clean sheet would be great and if we do that I’ll always back us to score goals.
“It will be a huge crowd, a great occasion, and we need the fans to get right behind us and help us get that vital win.”
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